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Flying into Smithers is flying into winter adventure

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Doc Pow

Flying into Smithers is flying into winter adventure

Thu. Jan. 10/19

By DOC POW

Smithers, B.C. – Most people’s intuition kicks in the first time they meet someone and as we all know, first impressions are key. If the Northern B.C. community of Smithers were a person, I know it would be one of my best friends. Why? For one thing it has one of the highest concentrations of outdoor adventure stores – per capita – in the country and for another, as our new #SkiNorthBC friends describe it, it’s a place that is wrapped in "alpine everything."

“It’s like a little ski village,” says Austin Gray, a resident of Prince George who recently made his first adventure into Smithers. “The way the downtown looks, it could be a big resort like you find in southern B.C., except this is the town.”

Smithers has a very vibrant downtown core and all the while, Hudson Bay Mountain Resort watches over and is visible from almost every spot in town. The ski hill and the community are so connected, you can literally ski right off the mountain and into town via a four-kilometer connector trail.

“It’s great that I am here with my buddy, but I know I can never bring my wife here as we’d move to Smithers in a week. It’s just that rad of a town,” exclaimed Tom Nilsson, buddies to Gray.

After spending time here, you start to realize just why so many outdoor enthusiasts call this place home. 10,000 or so residents of the Bulkley Valley - who call themselves Smithereens and their guests are treated to a daily buffet of peaks providing a 360-degree alpine feel. Just as Gray and Nilsson did stepping off the plane (via a 45 min flight from Prince George), you instantly start picking out your lines as the mountains really are that close.

“We’re under a $9 million upgrade to our airport and one of the key elements was to build these incredible mountain views into the terminal’s design,” explains Rob Blackburn, GM of the Smithers Airport.

Head out into the wilds around Smithers to places like the Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Ski Area, jump in a chopper and treat yourself to an over-the-top alpine adventure at the Burnie Glacier Chalet or click into the skinny skis and explore over 50kms of Nordic skiing via the Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre.

Peter Krause is a long-time local and founder – 30 years ago – of McBike & Sport, located in the heart of alpine land and downtown Smithers. It’s Krause’s job to provide rental equipment, bike or ski sales to those who are looking to explore Smithers’ winter wilds.

“Our Nordic ski centre base is at one of the highest elevations in the country,” explains Krause, which translates into stellar snow conditions with great track setting and a view that will knock your socks off.

The Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre is home to 52km of groomed trails, with beauty views

Doc Pow’s Top Tips to Smithers

When you go, you’ll want to:

Book a local or a lesson program from Hudson Bay Mountain – the “Discover the Mountain” program will help you unlock the sizable amount of terrain the resort is home to.

Photographer

Doc Pow

Plan to spend time here and bring your backcountry gear. The Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Park is literally a non-lift serviced ski hill – runs cut and acres of gladed terrain, but you ‘gotta earn it. Outside Magazine has called the Hankin park a "North American marvel."

The Nordic Centre includes 5km of night skiing and 10km of dog friendly trails

Saddle up to the bar at places like Telly’s Grill, The Alpinehorn Bistro and Bar and the two-micro brewery’s – Smithers Brewing Co. and the Bulkley Valley Brewery. Introduce yourself and I promise you will walk away with new friends.

Wildlife everywhere, check out this Facebook live with Moose on the way up to the resort

Keep your travel arrangements simple and book through the community's Ski & Stay packages, which will score you the best rates at www.SkiandStay.ca

Snow banks taller than myself line the streets of Smithers, a sure sign that this incredible snow haven is in good winter form. Whether arriving by plane, car or Via Rail, your first glimpse of town will without doubt steal your heart and whisk you into the mountainous magic that surrounds you.

Peaks soar above. Snow piles up above car rooflines, and terrain for backcountry touring stretches seemingly endlessly. Here, there are no motors running, no crowds, no distractions. Just you, your friends and the bowls, ridges and glades to play in.

After witnessing and shooting one of the most stunning sunrises of my life from the peak of Hudson Bay Mountain, I was intrigued by the small mountain community I saw on my way up. It turns out there are a handful of people who live on the mountain and whole-heartedly embrace this place.

This leg of our SkiNorthBC expedition brought us to a little place called Smithers, located in northwestern B.C., halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Smithers has a small but mighty population of just more than 5,400.